Pro-gun Docs Say AMA Has It Wrong on Gun Control

Dr. Robert Young, a practicing psychiatrist and editor for DRGO, told Guns.com Wednesday the AMA’s recent call for more gun control on Capitol Hill isn’t surprising, even if it’s misguided.

“Jumping aboard progressive bandwagons is the main tactic left to the AMA to wield influence, since it now includes no more than 25 percent of America’s physicians as members, even though it claims to represent us all,” he said. “It’s leadership has left most physicians behind by focusing on politics more than medicine and undercutting physician autonomy by supporting Obamacare.”

Dr. David O. Barbe, AMA president, told members Tuesday the association “must not back down from addressing gun violence” — the same way it combated stigmatized beliefs surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic, opposed the tobacco industry and promoted universal vaccinations.

“On the contrary, we must address it head on . . . scientifically, in an evidence-based, principled fashion, and with the health and safety of our communities, our fellow Americans, and our children as our chief concern,” he said.

Except, Young argues, there’s noting science-based about outlawing “assault-type” rifles and high-capacity magazines or banning gun and ammo sales to anyone under 21.

“Something like .002 percent of all gun owners are involved in crime,” he said. “The overwhelming vast majority are law-abiding. These young people are no exception to that rule.”